He got himself back to the same spot, near the calves, to see what would happen. After a time he saw Heffernan coming back, and little Barney Maguire was with him. A very decent boy Barney was, quiet and agreeable; never too anxious for work, but very knowledgeable about how things should be done, from a wake to a sheep-shearing. Heffernan always liked to have Barney with him at a fair.
The two of them stood near the calves, carelesslike, as if they took no interest in them at all.
A dealer came up.
“How much for them calves? Not that I’m in need of the like,” says he.
“Nobody wants you to take them, so,” says Barney, “but the price is three pounds ... or was it guineas you’re after saying, Mr. Heffernan?”
Heffernan said nothing, and the dealer spoke up very fierce, “Three pounds! Put thirty shillings on them, and I’ll be talking to ye!”
Mickey again only looked at his adviser, and says Barney, “Thirty shillings! ’Tis you that’s bidding wide, this day! May the Lord forgive you! Is it wanting a present you are, of the finest calves in all Ardenoo!”
Heffernan swelled out with delight at that; as if Barney’s word could make his calves either better or worse.
“Wasn’t it fifty-seven and sixpence you’re after telling me you were offered only yesterday, Mr. Heffernan,” says Barney, “just for the small ones of the lot?”
“Och! I dare say! don’t you?” says the dealer; “the woman that owns you it was that made you that bid, to save your word!”